Facing climate change

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a reality in the airline industry, but hot air doesn't have to be. We are actively reducing our GHG emissions through new engine technology, flying techniques, and are aware that biofuels will be an important part of even more reductions in the future.

How we're making a difference

JetBlue's climate change strategy focuses on reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for related regulatory changes. Every day we are diving into new opportunities both short-term and long-term including the resiliency of our operating model to deal with short-term effects, emissions reductions, technology improvements, and sustainable partnerships.

Prepared for a cap on net aviation CO2 emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth) by preparing to purchase relevant CO2 offsets

Invest in and lobbies for NextGen and ATC reform, a critical step to reducing in net aviation CO2 emissions of 50% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels

Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)

In 2016, we supported the first and only industry-level global agreement to mitigate CO2. Under CORSIA, aircraft operators will be required to purchase offsets for the growth in CO2 emissions covered by the initiative.

The intent of CORSIA is to address any annual increase in total CO2 emissions from international civil aviation above 2020 levels. Carbon neutral growth is achieved when carbon offsets purchased by airlines equal the growth in carbon emissions from 2020.

Our efforts to meet the CORSIA objectives will help reduce – but not eliminate –the amount of carbon offsets we will need to buy to comply with CORSIA when it becomes mandatory in 2026.

Since 2008:

We have purchased two billion pounds of CO2 offsets as of February 2018.

We are continuously monitoring the market for carbons offsets and seeking to purchase the most cost effective offsets that meet CORSIA requirements.

In order to meet the CORSIA objectives, we have set three ambitious goals:

Save more than 500,000 gallons of fuel burn per year through enhanced technology. Additional emissions savings will be possible as the FAA complements our in-aircraft investment with air traffic control infrastructure improvements, procedural changes and controller training in the Caribbean region.

Support the establishment of the renewable jet fuel (RJF) industry and integrate RJF into all flight operations.

Offsetting

Offsetting is an action by a company or an individual to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by financing a reduction in emissions elsewhere.

We are working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our daily operation, but we aren't able to completely eliminate them-with current technology available, no airline can. In the meantime, we're making use of carbon offsets.

Since 2008, we have been working with Carbonfund.org, allowing customers to offset part of the carbon footprint of their flights by making a donation to support carbon reduction projects. Customers can purchase carbon offsets for their flight here.

We have offset nearly 2 billion pound of CO2e since partnering with Carbonfund.org in 2008. Through Carbonfund.org, JetBlue has helped fund a total of seven renewable energy and tree-planting projects in and around our BlueCities and internationally.

Reducing what we can, offsetting what we can't

Since partnering with Carbonfund.org in 2008, JetBlue has offset more than 1.5 billion pounds of CO2e. Through Carbonfund.org, JetBlue has helped fund a total of seven renewable energy and carbon-reduction projects in and around our BlueCities. We currently help fund a landfill gas destruction project outside of Salt Lake City, Utah and have supported other similar projects in the past.

JetBlue is rooted in sustainability. In 2013, we participated in a tree planting initiative with Carbonfund.org after a tragic fire burned through Angeles National forest located in Arcadia, CA. In order to restore the area and mitigate emissions from flights, JetBlue sponsored the planting of 25,000 trees by the US Forest Service. The planting was completed in August 2015. The total planting area encompasses 160 acres and will be rejuvenated with big cone Douglas-fir and gray pine. The replanting restores an important watershed area in danger from erosion after the fire and helps maintain pre-fire levels of native biodiversity. For more on how we reduce and report emissions, visit our Responsibility Report.

Renewable jet fuel refers to jet fuel that can be produced from biological resources and can be replenished naturally and quickly (thus 'renewable'). When compared to traditional petroleum-based Jet-A, it significantly reduces emissions and environmental impact. Renewable jet fuel is chemically equivalent to conventional Jet-A and has no impact on performance or safety.

JetBlue is partnering with SG Preston, a bioenergy company, to purchase renewable jet fuel made out of biomass that does not compete with food supply. Each year for ten years, we will be purchasing 33 million gallons of blended renewable jet fuel (made of 30% renewable and 70% traditional fuel).With SG Preston, we're creating a fuel supply that has the ability to benefit our bottom line and lower CO2 emissions by up to 50% per gallon before it is blended.